US diplomat calls Israeli settler siege of West Bank homes ‘act of terror’

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has described a prolonged blockade of Palestinian homes by Israeli settlers as an "act of terror". The unusually harsh criticism came on Thursday following three days of the siege in the village of Qusra, located near the West Bank city of Nablus. One of the targeted homes was owned by a U.S. citizen who holds dual nationality.

Palestinian families claim they have been denied essential services like water, electricity, and other necessities during the blockade, which they view as an attempt by settlers to appropriate their land. In a statement on X, Huckabee condemned the "horrific act of terror," emphasizing its intent to intimidate and harass the affected family.

According to the Times of Israel, Israeli forces and law enforcement tried to remove the settlers from the area on Thursday morning after an earlier attempt had failed. Despite the efforts, the settlers persisted, using rocks and tents to encircle the Palestinian residences. The situation reflects the recurring pattern of Israeli settlers engaging in attacks on Palestinians and their property within the occupied West Bank, sometimes with the presence or acquiescence of Israeli security forces.